Oh, well - I've forgotten the model numbers. This is what happens when you take the time at a party to learn someone's name - you learn their name and make the whole evening special but you sacrifice some other random piece of information. In this case, model numbers.
As far as I can tell, I used a PDP-10:
(Taken by Ed Thelen of material owned by Computer History Museum under the non-commercial rule.)
Followed shortly by a VAX 11/780:
Talk about good times. I had access to these only because I was friends with the system administrator at school. He set me up (I think I basically whined a lot until he did) with a user name and password. My first user name and therefore email address ever was "tomato". I don't know why I chose that. He said "What do you want for a user name?" and I spouted out "Tomato". So I was known as "tomato" for a few years. Whenever I logged in I'd hear "Hey, there is a Tomato on the system!". I had email and was able to send/receive with a few friends that were online also - mostly right there at the school.
A few years ago a customer was walking through my company and he was talking about how he had made all of his money in the "internet" and how he had his first email address in 1988. That's how he started his conversation. It was like "How did you get rich in the internet?" and his first statement was "I had my first email address in 1988". Obviously there was something else involved because I had my first email address in 1983 and I didn't make it big in the internet. Of course, the internet wasn't really there yet so much back then. I think there was ARPANET, etc - but I'm not going to go into all of that.
I didn't do anything really constructive on either of these systems at the time besides read newsgroups. Later, maybe around 1987 I had to have a "real" account because I had a class on the VAX so the "tomato" account went away and I moved to something like just "wilso_d" or something else mundane. At that point I was taking an operating system class and we had to write our own OS in something like C or Pascal. It's all vague at this point, but none-the-less, this was my moment to both PDP and VAX systems. Both were pretty good considering the time frame. All text-based as I recall with dumb-terminals. I think the world really was faster before the advent of fancy graphical user interfaces (aka Windows).
You can read more about the VAX here.
Is it "Write A Blog Every Day For A Month" again? Because I'm already 10 behind. So here is a post from about two years ago where I said "Oh, I'm going to post about every computer I've ever used!" and then I stopped, right after this one. Lord Kalvan has been posting about a bunch of old computers and it reminded me of my original intent.
So here goes - I'm going to take a few posts to talk about the different computers I've used. I'll start with the very first one. This is the Commodore CBM-8032. This came out around 1980 and had a massive 32k of RAM. It had an 80 column by 25 line green monochrome screen. The CPU was a 6502 2Mhz.
This was owned by the science department at my high school. 1980 (10th grade for me) was well before the school had computer labs, etc. This was the ONLY computer in the school and we found it in the back of a store room where it wasn't being used.
It was beautiful. I used this from 1980 through 1982.
The base model used tapes, but the school actually had a dual floppy drive for it. I sent a letter to Commodore to see if they could send me any information on it, and they sent me a copy of their Commodore magazine. It was cool because it was filled with source code you could key in and also had instructions on how to do things with the system - like print. Yeah, this was before all of the magic we rely on today. Internet? Ha! I don't think so.
My first program was in BASIC and said something like:
10 PRINT "DEWITTE"
20 GOTO 10
and I'd run it... and run it.. and run it... There were three of us who started hanging around the back of the science room every chance we had - before school, after school, during lunch. We'd write programs and key in games and play them. One I recall the most is StarTrek (where you were a big E (for enterprise) and it moves around looking out for K (Klingons). Ah, good times, good times.
I would send a note to Commodore and when I received a reply, it would come from a different address. I thought something was up - they kept moving. Eventually I think they went away, but that wasn't until after the Vic-20, Commodore 64, and the Amiga. The only one of these I seriously used was the Amiga, but that's for another post.
I used to sit in the back of the classroom and just write mindless programs and listen to Supertramp on a cassette boom-box that I built (yes, built - and sad really because I don't have a single picture of it).
Some new things have come to light in regards to the Nook.
A) You can only lend a book once - IN THE LIFETIME OF THE BOOK. Not
only that, but not all books are lendable, it's up to the publisher.
B) You can't use B&N giftcards to purchase eBooks, because they have
to be associated with a credit card. That means I can't be gifted
during the holidays.
C) I already knew this, but it's coming back repeatedly to bite me in
the ass. Kindle has MUCH better prices on eBooks - period. They also
have more. I'm sure that B&N will eventually catch up, but until then
I'm screwed.
But...but... the Kindle is UGLY. Watching the videos of it doesn't
make me want to use it at all but when I watch the videos of the Nook
I do. So, do I pay more for the books now and limit myself to
selection because the device is better - and HOPE that B&N catches up
- or do I go with the Kindle and hope that the Kindle catches up in
regards to hardware?!
Oh, and I found out that the Nook is selling out like hotcakes,
they've already pushed the preorders (well, if you preorder now - mine
hasn't been pushed back) to the second week in December from the last
week in November. Maybe I can sell it via eBay and get all my money
back and then some?
Yesterday we finally made it to Disneyland! Paul & I have season passes, we
bought them in June, but we hadn't gone back since because we needed someone
to come along and help us with Evy. Paul & I decided to gift my sister early
this year for Christmas with a one day pass to Disneyland - so she could get
a season pass too. It was a lot of fun, I'm glad my sister went because she
kept reminding me not to stress out (like I always do) because we had season
passes. Our trip was filled with a lot of bumps, but just laughing through
them.
We got a late start, good traffic though. Once in Anaheim we stopped at a
Burger King for something to eat - but they wouldn't take our credit cards
so we had to go across the street to another place. We got a bit lost on the
way to the parking because Disneyland was redirecting to a different parking
structure and the signs they had were confusing. Then once we'd parked we
had to ride a bus to the park. Then we got to the park entrance and
discovered that Paul had left his wallet (and his season pass) in the car so
he had to go back. That took awhile because he had to wait for a bus, get to
the parking center, wait for another bus, and then come back. My sister & I
decided to go into the park and get her season pass, but then I discovered
I'd left HER ticket in my purse which was in the car. Luckily Paul was able
to grab it and we got into the park around noon.
We didn't ride very many rides, but we still had a really good day! Pirates
of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain - bit of
the Christmas parade. We ended up leaving pretty early because we just got
such a late start, but since we have season passes we'll be going back :)
It's so tiny..and green!
Once upon a time, after finishing up my B.A. in English and filled with bright visions of writing and creating for a living, I stumbled unaware into a career in the health industry. This twisting, brambled path led me into darkness. Amidst the darkest days of despair and anguish, lost in a forest of regret and self-loathing, I saw a glimmer of light between the trees.
Despite finding myself in an industry that I had no desire nor preparation to be a part of, I found a small interest in the raw mechanics of the human body.
The blood lab at the hospital would come every morning towards the end of my over-night shifts and draw their labs from patients. I came to know through the process of inputting every medical order what each lab measured and why. Surgeries were prepped for and tests performed, and I became familiar with the GI tract and respiratory system and the endocrine system and their many complications and solutions.
Later, at the SNF, I witnessed the devastation of dementia and was intrigued by stage IV wound care and how to teach someone who'd broken a hip or suffered a stroke to walk and eat again. As in the hospital, the corporate part and the AMA and the needless drugs and procedures and medications infuriated and outraged me, but the rest was like taking a great live-action health class.
You see, I hated the medical industry for the most part, but by God, I loved the marvels of the human body.
After leaving the SNF I started my CMT journey. Since becoming a massage therapist, I've taken additional classes to become certified in more specific areas like Reiki and Pre- and Post- Natal bodywork. The learning never has to end, and I love it.
I remember one time talking to my husband about things that interest me for my future career, and how much I've become an enthusiast about childbirth, particularly natural methods. I've read some amazing literature on childbirth in various world cultures and have always loved it. The conversation came and went.
This last May, we were on a trip to the coast for the weekend and I again brought up how I think I'd like to think about becoming a childbirth doula. Being a massage therapist is a great foundation. As we talked about it, a little green car changed lanes right in front of us. Across the back windshield was a giant sticker: www.my3doulas.com. Strange, to say the least.
In class that same month, someone found an ad for the Kate Jordan Bodywork for the Childbearing Year Seminars in a massage magazine. This intense workshop would certify you in bodywork techniques for pre-natal, post-partum, and labor support. I signed up right away, and my passion was further ignited.
Now my sister is pregnant. Although I haven't worked with her as much lately as I'd have liked to, we talk about her pregnancy frequently. She surprised me by saying that she was seeking out the Bradley Birthing Method classes in our area, (I'm so proud,) and she'd like to have a doula or a labor support present, and that if I feel that by that time I would be confident enough she thinks I'd be the best person. I am overjoyed. She contacted the most well-known doula in the area (there are not many here) and though she was unable to meeting with my sister for classes, they got to talking about me. Doula says that my certification is wonderful and the greatest thing have as a doula, and that I should give her a call. She's had a few other ladies contact her about mentorship, so if she gets enough of us, she can bring the doula training right here to Fresno.
I have her number in my planner. I keep staring at it.
What if everything- from my English degree and interst in anthropology, to my "accidental" step into healthcare, to massage therapy, to my additional certification, has been leading me to this? What if all along these heartbreaks and triumphs have been setting a foundation to do something that I am sincerely interested in? And with a pregnant sister who needs me, I have more reason than ever to persue it now.
Standing on the cusp of something unexpected, I am almost frightened. This may mean leaving a job that has treated me well for a year (though isn't at all what I want for a career.) It may mean another financial sacrifice. It may mean changing everything.
I haven't called her. I'm mustering something up inside that I cannot describe.
I'm not feeling very social - online - recently. Not sure why.
I've been spending a lot of my free time playing silly Facebook games, they
are stupidly addicting. I knew I shouldn't have even glanced at one. They're
like homeless puppies, you just can't give 'em up.
Work has been slow this week, this whole month seems slow since I'm waiting
on not only my Nook but also Star Trek on Blu-Ray. Amazon gave me a great
price and promised it would be on my doorstep the day it was released. I
wonder if my Nook will be shipped with the same speed? That's one thing that
rocks about Amazon - their shipping with high profile items.
As much as I hate to admit it, because I really wanted to keep breastfeeding
& pumping until she was a least a year old, I think I might stop
breastfeeding soon. I can't seem to keep up on the medication that keeps my
supply even sufficient enough (we've been having to give her bottles of
formula at night before bed), and even if I do there's no promise that my
supply will even last much longer. Plus, I can't even fathom dieting and
losing weight while doing this and recently I've become so disgusted with my
body. That great feeling I had from knowing that I'd successfully lost all
the weight I put on with the baby is gone and now I'm just left with the
realization that I was fat before the baby too.
But I feel there is a lot standing in my way. I know that if I thought about
it, I could get past it all, but it's hard. I need to learn how to cook -
and to find recipes within my budget and experience level for just two
people. I also need to make the time to exercise as I know that dieting
alone will only do so much. My schedule is very limiting because I have to
wake up at 5am to go to work - and once I get home I just want to spend time
with my family. Most nights I'm in bed by 8:30-9pm, it's a grueling schedule
but it's not changing until AT LEAST Christmas.
But, now that I think about it, I can do it. I can change my schedule at
Christmas, breastfeed until then which'll take me to at least 9 months, and
then start trying to get myself into shape. I hate being a fat mom. I hate
perpetuating the American stereotype of fat, lazy, and careless. I do care.
A couple months ago- when we brought on the "help" at work that turned out to be anything but and I was stressed out about so many things- my husband sent an instant message to me at the office:
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day." -Matthew 6:34
My husband does not read the Bible, but came across this verse somewhere that day and thought it might help me get through the struggles I was facing. It was completely appropriate, and a nice word of advice.
I wrote it on an over-sized post-it note and stuck it to the wall of my desk so that I would remember it. Later on that day, I shared it with a co-worker.
Her eyes filled with tears, and she thanked me for sharing. She's having trouble at home along with stress at the office. She believes that God sent that message to me so that I could share it and comfort her. She printed it out and taped it to her computer.
Last week at work was extremely tough. Some things happened that resulted in- well, let's just say that things really couldn't be worse, but we're a great team and pulling together now. I really can't go into more detail.
The morning this all came to light, one of the owners passed by my desk on his way outside. He paused and said, "I like your scripture." He told me that the previous night at 9:30PM, he was sitting at my desk, finally getting to eat his dinner and watching the locksmith change the locks and he saw the verse. He thought it was just right.
I was suddenly filled with hope.
This is how God speaks. It has taken me all these years to finally see it. As a kid I would sit in front of my open Bible and beg God to speak to me. Years of silence have left me jaded and my faith dangling by a thread.
God speaks in the post-it on a coworker's desk that wasn't meant for you but found you anyway at the right time. God speaks in the hunch of the belly, when we just know something. God speaks in intuition and consiousness. God speaks in the coincidence that seems unlikely, the subtleties of convenient events. God speaks in the voice of a friend or a stranger. Sometimes God uses the voice of Mother Nature, in the whisper of the swaying pines filling you with serenity and hope and something solid to believe in.
This is God's voice. God is speaking. I am listening.
On the cusp of November, NaNoWriMo staring me in the face and being fully prepared with plot and notes to boot, my MacBook Pro kicked the bucket.
Kicked the bucket!
Really?! I thought as the screen remained black despite my repeated clicking of the power button. Reliable and a faithful companion through university essays and poems and hundreds of blogs and even more hours of internet browsing in living rooms and offices and coffee shops across Fresno County, finished in a moment when it suddenly refused to turn on.
They tell me the logic board is shot. Heh. My logic board feels shot lately, too, so I can't blame it. It'll take about $310 to fix, which we simply cannot afford until long after the holidays. The problem with Apple products is that they're never cheap to fix when they break. So my husband pulled out his old PC for me and set it up on my craft table in the office. He'd been using the monitor in a duel-monitor setup with his Mac. Good thing we still had it. I had dreams of taking my laptop with me to the coffee shop to work on my novel, devoid of the distractions of home, but this will have to do. Somehow I think that I'll be getting a lot less writing done than I'd anticipated.
This weekend I decided to be creative. On Friday my mother-in-law hosted a pumpkin-carving party. I carved a swine flu face. I promise to post pics later. On Halloween Chris and I decorated the door in cobwebs and set our jack-o-lanterns out front, and fed chocolate to about half a dozen kids from the complex while we ate roasted brussels sprouts and watched a movie. My hands got antsy, so I crocheted a baby beanie to go with the baby sweater I did last weekend. On Sunday I decided to make the invitations for my sister's baby shower, which I'm hosting on December 6th. The blank notes were cheaper than pre-made invites, and now they're far cuter. I busted out the watercolors and Q-tips and pink ribbon and made a simple but cute invitation that I think will be well-recieved.
As I sat there doodling and playing with water colors, I was reminded how many art supplies I have at home and how much I like to create, even if I'm not the best at every medium. Now that my office is somewhat organized, I should feel freer to make and do.
It is November 3rd, and even though I have a computer set up, I haven't started a single word for NaNoWriMo. I had planned on waking up on Sunday morning, walking to Starbucks with my laptop and writing for hours to jump things off, but since I am sans laptop, I am less enthused. What is wrong with me?! I was so excited, but now that November is here, I think I am afraid. I need to remind myself that this isn't an essay for school- this is FUN stuff! Tonight I'll start, I swear I will.
She's probably tripping Saint Peter down the stairs as we speak!
While it's sad, it's not surprising. She was 536 years old. Strangely enough, DeWitte and I were talking about it and neither one of us has ever had a cat die of old age before. That's probably because we always had indoor/outdoor cats growing up and they'd either get hit by a car or run away. They only let you dress them up in your doll clothes so many times before they feel the need to take up residence in a less humiliating household.
She was a mean old grouchy bat of a cat who attempted to murder me often but I'll miss her anyway. Now we've gotta tell Nathan. This isn't gonna be pretty. He's never known a life without Cleo and he's a major cat person so this is just gonna kill him. Too bad they don't let you take time off for the death of a pet...I'll have to wait until after homework and piano then maybe DeWitte and I can do it together.
